Rwandan Geography, Rwanda Geography
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Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: Total: 26,338 sq km land: 24,948 sq km water: 1,390 sq km
Area - comparative: Slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: Total: 893 km border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: None (landlocked)
Climate: Temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible
Terrain: Mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east
Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
Natural resources: Gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land
Land use: Arable land: 40.54% permanent crops: 12.16% other: 47.3% (2001)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: Periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo
Environment - current issues: Deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching
Environment - international agreements: Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: Landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural
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The information here has been derived from Public Domain Sources such as the CIA World Factbook. No liability can be taken for any inaccuracies.
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